Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Cupid Spirit&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Cupid Spirit’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with a purple mark in the center and purple spots; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Phalaenopsis hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Cupid Spirit’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Cupid Spirit’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Cupid Spirit’ is a product of a controlledbreeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Cupid Spirit’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2000 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Tying Shin Cupid’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Free Spirit’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘CupidSpirit’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2008 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in July, 2008 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Cupid Spirit’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. flowers which are white with a purple mark in the center and purplespots;

2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;

3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissueculture;

4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and

5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Cupid Spirit’, the femaleparent ‘Tying Shin Cupid’ has bronze colored flowers with a purplelabellum, the male parent ‘Free Spirit’ has white colored flowers,whereas the flowers of ‘Cupid Spirit’ are white with a purple mark inthe center and purple spots.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Cupid Spirit’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘169431’. The flowers of ‘169431’ have a purplemark in the center, whereas the flowers of ‘Cupid Spirit’ also have alot of purple spots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Cupid Spirit’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Cupid Spirit’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Cupid Spirit’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical buds and flowers of ‘CupidSpirit’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Cupid Spirit’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Cupid Spirit’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Cupid Spirit’as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘CupidSpirit’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during theflowering phase of ‘Cupid Spirit’, the ideal growing temperature is20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing‘Cupid Spirit’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. Abalanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K isapplied. Duration of growth of ‘Cupid Spirit’ from potting size isbetween 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Cupid Spirit’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Tying Shin Cupid’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Free Spirit’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—approximately 3 mm-6 mm wide            and grey/green (RHS 193C) in color; freely branching. It            takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue culture to            initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height: about 65 to 75 cm Spread: about 45            to 65 cm.        -   Growth habit.—standard; green (RHS N137C) leaves and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 2 peduncles with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 5 to 8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval, the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture.—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 15 to 29 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 6 to 10 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS N137C) Under side:            green (RHS 138B).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N137C) Under side: green (RHS 138B).-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1 to 4.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 8 to 20.        -   Length.—about 60 to 70 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 5 mm.        -   Strength.—strong.        -   Aspect.—upright.        -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—green (RHS 143A and RHS 143B).        -   Internode.—Length: about 30 to 40 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 14 to 18 mm Diameter            (at midpoint): about 13 to 18 mm Shape: oval/egg-shaped            Color: yellow/green (RHS 145D and RHS 145B) with a purple            haze (RHS 77C).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with about 16 to 20 flower buds and flowers            per inflorescence. First flowers can be expected            approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a            leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis, see FIG. 2 Size: Height: about 50 mm to 75 mm            Diameter: about 60 mm to 85 mm Depth of tube: about 13 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: six petals that are            trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals Arrangement: Inner whorl of            petals comprises 3 petals, 2 lateral petals and labellum. 2            lateral petals: Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly            cupped Apex: round, with a little notch Margin: entire and            weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate Length: about 39 mm to            54 mm Width: about 28 mm to 38 mm Texture: Upper surface:            smooth and satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny Color            (when fully opened): upper surface: Main color is white (RHS            NN155C). At the base a purple mark (RHS 77B and RHS 77A).            Close to the outer edges purple spots (RHS 77A with RHS            77B). Under surface: Main color is white (RHS NN155C). At            the base some purple (RHS 77B). Also some purple spots close            to the outer edge (RHS 77A and RHS 77B).        -   Labellum.—Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent            callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and            base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward            about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is            terminated by 2 short stubs appendages at the apex. Lateral            lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe            is triangular with a bump and a rib on it Margin: entire and            weakly undulate Apex: oval Length: about 16 mm Width (not            flattened): about 18 mm Texture: Upper & under surface:            smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper            surface: Main color is white (RHS NN155C). Corners, edges            from base and a line in the center are yellow (RHS 5A).            Under surface: white (RHS NN155C) with yellow in the corners            and on the edges at the base (RHS 5A). Lateral lobes: upper            surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C). From base, lower            edge is yellow (RHS 5A). From base large greyed/purple mark            (RHS 187B and RHS 187C). Under surface: white (RHS NN155C)            with yellow bottom edge (RHS 5A) and a greyed/purple haze            near the base (RHS 187B).        -   Chirri.—long (about 17 mm) color: white (RHS NN155C) and            yellow (RHS 5A).        -   Pestle (callosities).—Length: about 5 mm Width (not            flattened): about 5 mm Color: Sides are white (RHS NN155C)            with a yellow haze on the edges (RHS 5D); edges and inside            is greyed/purple (RHS 187A and RHS 187B).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl of petals comprises 3            sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and weakly cupped. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Length: about 38 mm Width: about            28 mm Apex: oval Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and            satiny Color (when fully opened): Dorsal and lateral: upper            surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C). At the base a            purple mark (RHS 77B and RHS 77A) and purple spots (RHS 77A            and RHS 77B). Under surface: Dorsal: white (RHS NN155C) with            purple spots (RHS 77A and RHS 77B) with a purple haze over            the white (RHS 77D). Lateral: white (RHS NN155C) with purple            spots (RHS 77A and RHS 77B) with a yellow/green haze close            to the base (RHS 144D).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 6 mm Diameter: about 5 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C) and purple (RHS 77C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: Two Diameter: about 2 mm Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 17B).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm Diameter: about 6 mm Color: white            (RHS NN155C) with a little purple (RHS 77C).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 to 40 mm Diameter: about 3 mm            Texture: glabrous and smooth Color: Close to the flower            white (RHS NN155C) with a purple haze (RHS 77D) which runs            into yellow/green (RHS 146D). At the end a little purple            (RHS N79B).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Cupid Spirit’, as illustrated and described herein.